Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Indian Wells

Prediction published on 19/03/2022, 12:23  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 19/03/2022 at 13:24 in Tennis Predictions

Rafa Nadal bids to reach the Indian Wells title for the first time since 2013. The fourth seed takes on Carlos Alcarez (seeded 19th) so we know that Spain will have a participant in the final. The winner of this match faces either Andrey Rublev or Taylor Fritz in the final. Nadal won that final nine years ago but has only won this title on three occasions, the first back in 2007. The world number four is still unbeaten this year and is chasing a fourth title of 2022. He's already won in Melbourne, the Australian Open and Acapulco. Nadal is well clear at the top of the ATP Race and has won all 19 of his matches played this year. In this tournament, Nadal has dropped two sets, one to Sebastian Korda and the other to Nick Kygrios in his quarter final.

Carlos Alcarez is ranked 19th in the world and doesn't turn 19 until May of this year. He was born in 2003, the same year that his opponent first started playing Grand Slam tournaments. Alcarez was the winner of the NextGen tournament last year and certainly looks to be a future top ten player. This time last year he was ranked 132nd but has made steady progress up the list. He's won one tournament this year, a clay court event held in Rio de Janiero with wins over Matteo Berrettini and in the final, Diego Schwartzmann. Before that he got to the last 32 of the Australian Open. In this tournament, Alcarez has had wins over Mackenzie McDonald, 15th seeded Roberto Bautista Agut (losing only two games), 26th seeded Gael Monfils and then defending champion Cameron Norrie and is yet to drop a set. This is obviously a big step up and Nadal can get a straight sets win here.